What Is Cerebral Hypertension?

Hypertension is a precursor to many cerebrovascular diseases that can lead to a debilitating condition. In a 2002 press release from the World Health Organization, cerebral vascular accident (CVA) ranked third among causes of death in developed countries. Hypertension is one of the culprits that can make a person at risk to this condition, making cerebral hypertension a condition with a high mortality rate.

Causes

• There are many causative factors that can induce cerebral hypertension. An excess in sodium intake, inadequate diuretic therapy and volume retention due to kidney disease are conditions that can cause volume overload which places one at risk of hypertension. Hypertension may also be drug-induced. Excessive alcohol intake and obesity are risk factors, as well.

  Cerebral arteriosclerosis involving hardening of the artery walls can also cause cerebral hypertension, as it increases the pressure in the arterial walls of the brain. Plaques, blood clots and emboli can also induce cerebral hypertension.

Symptoms

• Cerebral hypertension can produce neurological symptoms as it alters brain functions. These symptoms can impair the ability to carry out normal activities. The initial stage of cerebral hypertension often remains asymptomatic until there is a significant increase in intracranial pressure in the brain that leads to unknown fatal condition. That is why health practitioners tag this condition as a silent killer.

  Typical symptoms involve headache, dizziness, visual disturbances, vomiting, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness and hypertension. Stroke often results with cerebral hypertension that presents various neurological impairments like paralysis and motor dysfunctions, such as incoordination of movements. It may also lead to aneurysm, where there is a ballooning of the arterial wall until it ruptures. This can lead to death.

Treatment

• The treatment involved with cerebral hypertension is directed towards relieving the brain from intense cerebral pressure. Pharmacological treatment is the immediate option to help relieve symptoms. Antihypertensive drugs can help regulate the cerebral blood flow, which can improve circulation in the brain and reduce pressure on the cerebral arteries.

Recovery

• In mild cases of cerebral hypertension, recovery is possible once the increased intracranial pressure is relieved with medications. Patients manifesting neurological symptoms can undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy that can help them restore, maintain and prevent further complications of their conditions. In severe cases of cerebral hypertension, however, it can possibly lead to a catastrophic event such as coma or death. The high mortality rate in cerebral hypertension is due to undiagnosed conditions with sudden onset of major symptoms that can cause sudden death.

Prevention

• The National Institutes of Health recommends constant monitoring and control of blood pressure, less consumption of fatty food sources and control of conditions that may predispose to hypertension, such as diabetes and obesity. Lifestyle modification is also important, such as avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, doing more exercise, opting to observe healthy eating habits and avoiding smoking.